A collection of vintage photography and "orphan" photographs showcasing the past.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Mystery Monday - Girl from Spencer, Mass - Who is She?

Yesterday I posted in my ongoing "Women with Hats" category a post about a young woman from Spencer, MA which I dated between 1895 and 1900. Today I am posting the second of two photos taken on the same day of my unidentified subject. E. L. Jaynes who had a studio in Spencer between 1873 and at least 1920, was the photographer of this mystery girl. The cabinet card from yesterday had plain rounded edges - today's card although nearly idential front and back, has beveled edges with gold gilt. Obviously these pictures were taken on the same day; she is wearing the same dress, jewelry, her hair is the same minus the hat. She is posed from the side in this shot and if you look closely you can see her long hair in a bun at the base of her neck.

Yesterday I talked about my trouble dating the photo, but I had decided it was between 1895 - 1900. According to PhotoTree.com "an analysis of nearly 200 cabinet cards from 1885 to 1900 showed about 50% were beveled and 50% were straight cut with the largest concentration of beveled card from the late 1880's." Beveled edges were most popular between 1885 - 1895. Her dress with the very short sleeves is what is giving me the most trouble in dating the photo, that is something I have not seen much but I have dated these cards around 1895 possibly to 1900. I welcome any information to the contrary.

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About Me

I'm an amateur genealogist, with my roots in Southern Illinois and living in South Florida for many years. I'm fascinated with those who came before and the history they left behind. I started my blogs to document the plethora of information I have found on both my husband's wonderful ancestral history and my own, hoping it will help me to see them more clearly and as something to leave for my sons and grandsons. I can't stay out of the antique stores and love collecting old postcards and photographs. I just can't resist buying those discarded orphan pictures of "other people's ancestors." I welcome comments or you can email me at tyrogers31@gmail.com. Thanks for stopping by!